THE BEAUTY BLOG

It goes without saying, you need to clean your makeup brushes regularly. There’s nothing pretty about bacteria in your makeup and on your face. There are two easy methods – spraying with alcohol and washing with shampoo.

Makeup artists have stringent brush cleaning routines, but you don’t need to be as strict with your personal brushes. If you use your brushes every day you should be giving them a deep cleanse weekly. But I know life gets in the way, so please aim for once or twice a month and quick alcohol cleansing in between.

I usually use The Pro Hygiene Collection for keeping my brushes clean but it appears to be sold out at the moment. Beauty So Clean and Cinema Secrets also respected for their hygiene products.

HOW TO CLEAN MAKEUP BRUSHES WITH ALCOHOL

This method is used for a quick cleanse between washes. It’s particularly useful if you want to use the same brush for different shades of makeup (for example, you want to use the same brush for a champagne eyeshadow and a dark brown eyeshadow). Makeup artists use this method to keep brushes clean between clients.

You will need an alcohol spray designed for brushes and some kitchen paper (a towel you don’t mind staining would work too). You can spray the bristles directly but I prefer to spray the paper. Simply swirl the brush in the alcohol until it’s clean. It’ll take about a minute to dry thoroughly.

HOW TO CLEAN MAKEUP BRUSHES WITH SHAMPOO

This method gives brushes a really deep clean. There are lots of antibacterial brush shampoos and cleansing bars on the market. A mild hair shampoo, such as Dr Bronner or baby shampoo are okay to use too. I would also recommend buying a silicone brush pad (you can find them for a few pounds in Primark or bargain shops).

How to:

Sanitise your sink area

Pour shampoo into a pot

Dip the bristles into the shampoo (or swirl if you’re using a bar)

Swirl the brush on the brush pad (or palm of your hand) until it’s clean

Rinse with the brush pointing downwards until the water runs clear (don’t allow water to run into the ferrule)

Gently squeeze excess water

Place on a flat surface with the brush head hanging over the edge

Leave to dry overnight.

BRUSH CLEANING VIDEO TUTORIAL

I’ve filmed a video to accompany this blog post, you can watch it on my IGTV.

When you have your makeup applied professionally, you should expect a decent wear time. I can assure you that your makeup artist will try their best to select suitable products for your skin type and use every trick in the book in the hopes of giving you all day perfection – BUT there are no guarantees. (Sorry about that.)

Skin is a fickle thing. Environment, health (physical and mental), diet, hormones and trying new products can all play a part in disrupting the balance. Stress is a huge factor! Even when skin is behaving, your makeup may require some TLC. You see, makeup doesn’t appreciate tears of joy or dancing wildly to Love Shack.

So, what can you do if you start seeing signs of wear on your wedding day? Here are my suggestions for makeup dilemmas and the products you can rely on.

TOUCH UP KIT – ESSENTIALS

Blotting Sheets – NYX sheets are cheap and do the job.

Cotton Buds – In case you need to do a clean up job around your lips or eyes.

Pressed Powder – I like Charlotte Tilbury but anything you already have will be fine.

Powder Brush – Obviously to apply powder, but also to buff and refresh later in the day.

Setting Spray – This is your magic potion. Often comes in a travel size version. I like MAC Fix+ and Urban Decay All Nighter.

Concealer – This must be easy to blend with fingers.

Lipstick/gloss – Because it will definitely come off with all the kissing and toasting.

TOUCH UP KIT – NICE TO HAVE

Eyeliner Pencil – Only necessary if you’ve opted for liner in your water-line. Some brides decide to add it in the evening to vamp things up.

Blusher – Colour can fade throughout the day so it’s lovely to have a similar shade to freshen up.

Highlighter – For glow addicts who refuse to be outshone by the disco ball (I am one of those people).

A second lipstick – Again, some brides go with a bolder shade for evening.

A trial run helps to ensure you’re wearing the best combination of products for you. Every so often I have a client who loves their look, but they need to come back to try a different foundation because it hasn’t performed quite as well as expected (this goes back to my point about skin being unpredictable). I offer this service for free because I want the absolute best for my brides, but I would advise checking individual policies on this.

An experienced, reputable makeup artist will be able to deliver a gorgeous bridal look, that has a good chance at longevity, without a trial. Do your research. HOWEVER, there is a chance that the products just won’t get on with your skin (through no fault of the makeup artist). Decide if this is a risk you are willing to take.

CRYING

Tears cutting through fresh powder. Oh my!

Once your natural oils have kicked in later in the day, this shouldn’t be a problem. Just dab with a soft tissue and add a touch of concealer/powder if required. If the powder is still fresh (and your makeup artist has left) mist with setting spray and gently pat with fingers. Dampening the powder will allow you to reapply a small amount of concealer without creating a cakey mess. Follow with powder (and blush if needed).

If you’re prone to getting emotional (or you have oily eyelids, for that matter), seriously consider having a lash treatment prior to the day to eradicate the (slim) chance of panda eye or flapping false lashes.

CREASED OR FADED CONCEALER

Unless you’re baked to the hilt (which doesn’t look marvellous, in my opinion) undereye creasing may occur. Simply pat with your ring finger to blend. If you feel like you need to the brighten the area, now would be a good time to top up your concealer. Finish with a touch of pressed powder and a spritz of setting spray.

SHINE AND/OR SWEAT

Brides with oily skin and dancing queens, I feel you! Blotting sheets are excellent because they soak up oil and moisture without leaving any residue. This avoids a powdery build up from too much pressed powder. If you feel like a major touch up is due – blot first, spritz with setting spray, buff or pat gently with a powder brush (avoiding your eyes), apply pressed powder and spritz again.

PATCHY/DULL BASE

This can affect dry and dehydrated skin types. Choose a hydrating setting spray (MAC Fix+ for example) and give your face a decent spritz. Pat any patchy areas gently and allow to dry. This should redistribute the makeup and give your skin a glow.

RED AND FLAKY NOSES

I’m referring to the classic ‘I’ve been blowing my nose for a week’ look. If you have a cold or it’s been streaming alongside your happy tears, you’re likely to rub off the makeup with tissues. If it’s dry or sore you can mix a tiny amount of multi-purpose balm with your concealer, then pat gently to the affected area. Finish with a touch of powder.

BLEMISHES

If you have spots along your jawline, they may become visible throughout the day. This is because concealer has a habit of rubbing off on your guest’s shoulders with every hug. If your top layer of powder has settled and blended with your natural oils, you can go ahead and re-apply concealer and powder. If not, dampen the area first with a light mist of setting spray.

There you have it, my top tips for brides who would like to do makeup maintenance throughout the day. Of course, I’m not suggesting that you MUST keep a close eye on your face (lots of brides tell me they let loose after the photographs), but if it’s an important factor for you I hope this advice is useful.

Have you booked you makeup artist yet? Why not take a look at my portfolio to see if you’d like my style of makeup on your special day?

I literally can’t imagine working without it. It’s a little bottle of magic; perfect for pre-cleansing, erasing makeup mistakes and sharpening winged liner.

So what is it? Micellar water is a cleansing solution made from micelles, which attract impurities from your skin. The tiny oil particles are suspended in water and can dissolve makeup and oil in seconds. The best thing? All you need is a cotton pad. Simply wipe gently and pat dry. No rinsing, no rubbing, no eyelash pulling, no alcohol, no residue; just easy, simple cleansing.

How to use it. As a makeup artist, I use micellar water at the beginning of a makeover to ensure there are no traces of makeup or oil on the skin. I also use it with pointed cotton buds to perfect liner and lipstick. In my personal routine I use it as my first cleanse, followed by a second cleanse with a cream cleanser and a flannel. I also take it on holiday (decanted into a smaller bottle) to reduce the amount of skincare I need to pack.

Recommended products. I’ve tried a lot of micellar waters but I always come back to Bioderma (Elemis and Nivea come second and third). It leaves your skin clean and fresh without a harsh, tight feeling. They have a few versions available for different skin types.

Is it just me, or when you use Charlotte Tilbury do you feel like a silver screen siren? Ode to the rose gold packaging.

The highlighting powder in the Bronze & Glow palette is stunning. With a soft golden sheen, it’s the powdered version of Illamasqua’s Gleam Aurora. As for the sculpting powder; it’s buttery and blends like a dream. In my experience it’s a little too warm for very fair skin, but works for most light-medium tones. There’s a deeper version available for dark skin tones.

The Powder & Sculpt brush is fantastic, and helps to create precise, yet natural, shading. Side note – I wasn’t overly impressed until it’s first wash, when it transformed into a miracle worker. At £35.00 it’s not cheap, but the artistry and quality of the brush is worth the price tag.

Is the Filmstar Bronze & Glow palette something you need? No.
Should you buy it anyway? Oh yes, if only to gaze adoringly at that packaging.

If I could only use one lip product for the rest of my life, it would be the MAC Editorial Reds. In this version of the Pro Lip Palette there are six delicious shades, perfect for dipping your toes into the coveted world of MAC Reds. Also perfect for puckering up under the mistletoe, but it’s probably best to stick to the matte shades for that.

Lady Danger – Matte A bright, coral red. The orange undertones make it a perfect choice for warmer skin toes.

Russian Red – Matte A vivid blue-toned red. My personal favourite.

Ruby Woo – Retro Matte Another blue-toned red, but not as intense as Russian Red. I find the formula a little uncomfortable, but it does look fabulous.

On Hold – Cremesheen A mid-tone raspberry red. The formula is typically quite sheer (but buildable) and comfortable. This is a great red for daytime.

If you like medium/full coverage at all times, don’t buy a tinted moisturiser. They’re not typically buildable and you will be wasting your money. Instead look for a foundation with a lighter, buildable formula for the summer months like the RMK Liquid Foundation.

If you like sheer/medium coverage, a tinted moisturiser is perfect. In my experience, drugstore versions do little more than than add a sheer veil of colour. If you’re looking for something that’s going to provide a fresh, even coverage, high end is where it’s at. Laura Mercier, Jouer and NARS are all regarded highly for their tinted moisturisers. My personal favourite is the Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint, but the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is also very impressive. For acne-prone skin, La Roche-Posay have brought out a tinted version of Effaclar Duo.

DRY/NORMAL SKIN

You don’t need to look for oil-free formulas, although these can also work for you with a little extra TLC. Begin with a spritz of hydrating toner and follow with your regular moisturiser. After five – ten minutes, apply a pea-sized amount of tinted moisturiser with your fingers or a damp sponge. If you need to powder, use a small brush, such as the Real Techniques Setting Brush, and gently tap a translucent powder between your eyebrows, around your nose and over your chin. If you feel like you need a little more hydration, use Fix+ or another spritz of hydrating toner.

COMBINATION/OILY SKIN

As a general rule, the oil-free formulas work well with your skin type. You don’t have to abide by this, as long as you’re prepared to do a little t-zone maintenance throughout the day. Begin with a spritz of hydrating toner and dab your regular moisturiser on any dry/flaky patches (for example, I would apply it over any healing blemishes). If you need your makeup to last all day, apply a primer to your t-zone. Next, apply a pea-sized amount of tinted moisturiser with your fingers, a buffing brush or a damp sponge (avoid buffing any flaky patches of skin). At this point, you can choose to blot your t-zone with a tissue to take away excess moisture. Use a small brush to powder the t-zone. If you like, you can finish with a setting spray.

CONCEALING

Precision concealing is key to making a tinted moisturiser work. Haphazardly concealing large areas of skin is going to look strange against the ‘your skin but better’ finish. Instead, dot concealer over any blemishes (I’m talking pin point precision) with a tiny brush and blend with a finger or a small, fluffy brush.

ADDING COLOUR

Tinted moisturisers tend to feel slightly tacky when first applied. If you’re planning on using a powder blush/bronzer, dust a light layer of translucent powder over your cheeks to ensure hassle free blending.

MAINTENANCE

It’s highly likely that you’re going to need to touch up throughout the day. Pop a powder compact, a few blotting sheets and a concealer in your bag.

It helps to spend a short while preparing for your trial by browsing images of different makeup looks. Pinterest is a great place to start, but I’d also advise taking some time to look through my portfolio and pick out your favourite RJ brides. Bring along the images to your trial and we can discuss the elements you like from each one.

EXPLAINING YOUR STYLE

Bring a photo of yourself wearing your usual style of makeup. This lets me see to how you like to look and what style of makeup you’re used to. For example, ‘natural’ or ‘smokey’ can mean different things to different people, so the visual helps me to get on your wave length.

Lots of makeup artists agree that your wedding day perhaps isn’t the time to try something completely different to your usual style; whether that means full on glamour or a natural glow. But of course it’s your wedding, so go with your heart!

YOUR TRIAL OUTFIT

Wearing a top or dress in a similar shade to your wedding dress helps you to picture how you will look as a bride. It’s also a good idea to try and book your hair trial on the same day – it can be difficult to imagine all the elements put together.

SKIN PREP

It’s important to put a good skincare routine in place before your wedding. This will help makeup to ‘sit’ well on the skin, and can even prolong the wear of your foundation. If you’re unsure about your skin type and what products to use we can chat about it during your trial. My mantra is cleanse, exfoliate (gently) and hydrate! Please don’t worry if you have a specific skin concern that just won’t go away, I’ve been there myself and know how frustrating it can be. I have lots of tricks up my sleeve to help you feel more confident about your skin.

BE REALISTIC

Please bare in mind that a lot of the photographs you see online and in magazines have been heavily retouched. Even with the best skills and makeup in the world it’s impossible to erase every line, pore and bump. I like to include my own photographs in my portfolio so you can see a more realistic result. Your wedding makeup should enhance your best features make you feel fabulous. Think polished and radiant, but still ‘you’.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE HONEST

I like to begin the trial by reassuring you that you can be 100% honest with me. It’s my job to make you feel incredible when you walk down the aisle, but that can only be achieved by having an open discussion throughout the appointment. We can make small adjustments or even start again with a different idea. It’s important to remember that makeup is fun! Don’t panic if you loved the idea of a red lip or smokey eye but it feels a bit too much, we can simply wipe it away and go back to the drawing board. I understand that makeup is a personal thing – we all have our own tastes and signatures.

AFTER THE TRIAL

Take your selfies in good light, e.g. standing to the side of a window. I recommend keeping your makeup on for the rest of the day so you can see how the products wear on you. I aim for the makeup to look great for the rest of the day with a few low maintenance touch-ups such as powder, lipstick and perhaps a touch of concealer. Take some time to make sure that you’re totally happy with the look. Maybe in hindsight you’d prefer brown liner instead of black, or a brighter blush? Get in touch to let me know you thoughts and if we need to make any tweaks.

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